Running-gear for wagons.



No. 797,639. PATENTED AUG. 22, 1905.

G. P. THUMPSON.. RUNNING GEAR FOB. WAGONS.

APPLICATION FILED MAE. 2. 1004.

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PATENTED AUG, 22, 1905.

G. E. THOMPSON. RUNNING GEAR FOR WAGONS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2, 1904.

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GEORGE F. THOMPSON, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

RUNNING-GEAR FOR WAGONS.

ivo. 797,639.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1905.

Application filed March 2, 1904. Serial No. 196,147.

To Ltl whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. T1-IoursoN,.

of Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin, State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Running- Gear for Vagons, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in running-gear for wagons, and particularly for wagons having a rear transverse spring, which keeps the wagon-body at all times in a hori- Zontal position even though a second or back seat may be employed for carrying passengers.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved running-gear that is simple and inexpensive in construction, while at the same time it is light and exceedingly strong.

y The invention consists generally in the constructions and combinations hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure l is a plan view of a running-gear embodying my invention. Fig'. 2 is a rear end elevation, and Fig. 3 is a side elevation.

In thedrawings, 2 represents the rear axle, and 3 the forward axle.

4 4 represent the reaches. These reaches are secured at their forward ends to the bolster 5 and the fifth-wheel 6. The forward portions of the reaches are bent outwardly, so that each portion stands on a line that is diagonal to the central line of the gear, and the contacting portions of the reaches are secured together by the clips 7. The upper member of the fifth-wheel is secured to the bolster and to the reaches 4 4 by means of the clips 8 and 9. The lower member I() of the li'ftl1-\vheel is secured to the forward axle 3. (See Fig. 3.) The two parts of the fifthwheel are connected by the king-bolt 11, and a brace 12 extends from thelower end of the king-bolt to the reaches 4, to which it is secured by the clips 13. of the reaches 4 are bent outwardly and are then brought into line with the rear axle, so that the axle-stock is formed by the rear ends of the reaches in a similar manner to that The rear portions shown and described in Letters Patent of the United States issued to me August 8, 1889, No. 630,425.

I prefer to provide a transverse half-elliptic spring 14 arranged directly over and parallel4 with the rear axle, and each end of this spring is coupled by suitable links 15 to the upper end of a curved springstandard 16. The lower portion of this standard extends parallel with and rests upon the top of that portion of the reach that extends parallel with the axle and forms the axle-stock. Suitable clips 17 extend over this portion of the reach and the axle and also over the part of the standard 16 that lies upon the top of this portion of the reach. By this means the standards 16 are secured in position and the spring 14, upon which the rear end of the wagon-body is supported, distributes the weight of this portion ofthe wagon-bod y through the springstandards 16 evenly upon the rear ends ofv both reaches or those portions of the reaches that constitute the axle-stock. This construction counteracts any tendency in this portion of the reach to twist or tilt forward and assists in clamping the rear portions of the reaches firmly and solidly to the axle, and it balances the wagon-body when loaded heavier on the back seat than on the front seat and keeps the body7 from tipping up in front and down behind.

I prefer also to provide the side springs 18, which support the steps 19 and which are coupled to the rear axle and to the forward bolster by couplings 20,'which are preferably of the construction shown and described in an application for patent, Serial No. 196,148, of even date herewith.

I claim as my invention- The combination, with a rear axle, and the bent reaches having their rear portions resting upon the axle and extending laterally in line therewith, of a half-elliptic spring arranged above and substantially parallel with said axle, spring-standards secured at their inner ends upon the rear portions of said reaches and having upwardly-curved and inwardly-turned outer ends that are adapted to yield with the tension of said spring, and

coupling-links pivotally connecting' said spring and said upwardly-curved ends, and said spring having onlyT a vertical movement on its pivotal connections with said standards and being of less length than the distance between the upwardly-curved ends of said standards, and said links lying in planes substantially parallel with said axle whereby said spring is held against undue lengthwise thrust or oscillation, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of February, 1904.

GEORGE F. THOMPSON. In presence of- A. O. PAUL, C. G. HANsoN. 

